5 Clever Uses of the Google Pixel Tag

It’s finally happening. Google is launching the Android version of a long-awaited AirTag, five years after Apple first brought its Bluetooth tracker to the market. Aptly called the Google Pixel Tag, this particular $30 oval-shaped tracker works exclusively on Android devices and relies on Google’s Find Hub network for location tracking. It works much like the AirTag, with features like seamless pairing, precision tracking, item sharing, and the ability to ring the tag. And just like the AirTag (and other Bluetooth trackers), the Pixel Tag is the best accessory to get if you keep forgetting where you left your car keys or wallet.

But aside from helping you find your keys and wallet, the Google Pixel Tag can also come in handy in all sorts of other scenarios. It could also help you keep track of your kids or luggage on your next outing. You can also use it to avoid getting lost when finding your car in the parking lot. If you’re considering picking up a Pixel Tag when it releases in November, here are some smart uses.

Most often, you attach a tracker to the items you misplace all the time. Maybe it’s your house keys or the TV remote. But what if it’s your Android phone that usually disappears? Normally you will have to use a separate phone or computer to find it. You either have to borrow a friend’s phone to call your mobile or access your computer to check the location on Google’s Find Hub.

With a Google Pixel Tag, however, all you need is the tag itself. Simply enter the Pixel Tag that you previously associated with your Android phone and tap the button on it. If your phone is within range, it will start ringing. And yes, it works whether in silent mode or not. This reverse tracking feature makes it easier for children or elders to locate their missing devices as they don’t need to manage a separate mobile or computer. Plus, it’s a pretty simple process that anyone can follow. Keep in mind that the feature is only available for Android devices updated to at least Android 9.0 and built with Bluetooth 6.0 or later.

Trying to locate your car in a huge parking lot is never the easiest task. Even with a few landmarks, you can easily forget the exact spot where you parked. Of course, some apps can help you remember this. Apple Maps and Google Maps have an automatic parking location feature, so you can find your parked car with your iPhone or Android. But apps usually require your phone to be connected to your car’s Bluetooth. If it’s not paired, then you’ll have to pin the parking spot location on the app yourself, which you can easily forget to do as well.

To save yourself all this trouble, simply install a Google Pixel Tag in your car. Anywhere in your vehicle is fine. You can place it in the center console, hide it in the glove box or throw it in the trunk. The Pixel Tag is constructed from stainless steel and has an IP67 rating, meaning it is protected against exposure to dust and brief immersion in water.

When it’s time to find your car in the parking lot, simply go to the Find Hub app on your Android and use the Pixel Tag to get directions to where your vehicle is. It’s that simple.

With the number of bags you usually carry when traveling, it’s very easy to lose track of one (or two) when you leave the hotel or airport. That’s why it’s a good idea to slip a Google Pixel Tag into all your bags, then activate the nifty feature called Left Behind. Left Behind works exactly as its name suggests. When you unintentionally leave behind an item containing a Pixel Tag, you will receive an alert on your paired phone. You no longer need to frantically call the hotel or go to the airport lost and found service hours later. A few minutes after the Pixel Tag goes out of range, you will be automatically notified.

If you don’t travel often, Left Behind can still be handy for everyday use. You can throw a Pixel Tag into anything you usually bring outside the house, such as your work bag, laptop bag, toolbox or even your lunch box.

We have to wait until the Pixel Tag releases in November to find out the full details of what else Left Behind can do. But if it’s something like the AirTag’s Notify When Left Behind feature, you might be able to make exceptions for specific “safe places” like your home, where you can leave items without triggering an alert.

No matter how attentive you are as a parent, sometimes you find yourself separated from your children, especially in large crowds. For safety reasons, it is best for your young children to wear a Pixel Tag whenever you go to amusement parks, fairs, or other busy places. The Pixel Tag is only 0.2 inches thick and weighs just 0.4 ounces, so it shouldn’t be complicated to wear or transport. Your kids can have it as a bracelet, wear it on a lanyard around their neck, or hide it in their pants or jacket pocket.

As of this writing, Pixel Tag holders and cases are not yet as readily available as AirTag accessories. But once Google officially starts selling Pixel Tags, it probably won’t be long before you can find creative accessories for them. Google could even offer some options itself.

Google Pixel Tags – or other Bluetooth trackers – are mainly placed in objects that you use and carry on a daily basis. However, they can also be useful for tracking static items like your important files. You probably aren’t constantly moving your birth certificate, insurance papers, or mortgage documents. But since you usually don’t need them, you might forget where you stored them in the first place. Instead of going through every box in every room in your house, you can add a Pixel tag to your documents folder.

With its precise tracking, you’ll get easy-to-follow directions to the exact location of the label. If you still can’t find it with just viewing it on your phone, it’s still possible to make the tag make a sound once you get close enough to it. It is important to note, however, that your paired Android phone must be equipped with Ultra Wideband technology to use this feature.

In terms of battery life, the Pixel Tag’s battery can last up to a year, so you won’t have to worry about it running out. Just be sure to research the tag and check it every few months or so to see if it’s still working as expected.